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Tribune article by Amy Hafer

Hastings Public Library staff

Amy Hafer is the Library Director at the Hastings Public Library. Call Amy at (402) 461-2346 or e-mail Amy.

Create your story at the library—April 8, 2011

This year’s theme for National Library Week is Create your story @ your library™. My story started when my mom would pull me in the wagon to the Kearney Public Library and the nice children’s librarian taught me how to find the mystery books by the sticker on their spine. Well, that was the start of my love of books, but the start of my love of libraries came in college, when my student work supervisor taught me about the internet and how libraries needed to understand new technology in order to help others. Now my story revolves around teaching my daughter to read and trying make sure she doesn’t think she runs the library.

So what’s your story? Everyone has a story of some kind, and for many of us it starts at the library. Whether you were learning to read, picking out your first Dr. Seuss book, attending a storytime or participating in summer reading, many of us have a childhood connection to the library. For many adults now too, stories about finding jobs, learning computer skills or attending distance education classes happen at the library. Perhaps you’re planning a trip to a foreign country next year and want to learn the language or bought an old car to fix up and need a manual. Did you know we have online programs to help you learn either of those things? Let us help you make that trip even more memorable, or that car even easier to restore. Maybe you want to redo your deck outside this summer and need some home improvement books for inspiration. We can do that. Or maybe you’re planning a baby shower and want to make cupcakes that are the talk of the party. We definitely have a book for that!

Whatever your story is right now or what you hope your story will be, we can help. From books, to online learning, to story hours, to computer classes, we can help you write your own story.

To celebrate National Library Week, the library is offering a variety of programs for all ages. Kick off the celebration with a poetry reading by Tom Adamson, Nebraska poet and college professor on Sunday, April 10th at 3pm. Tom will read selections from his writing and talk about finding inspiration and getting published. Children can enjoy five different storytimes this week, including our famous Sleepy Storytime on Tuesday night, April 12th at 7pm. On the same night, you can start your gardening story with “Bugs, Rot and Run-off Water” a gardening program also at 7pm. On Wednesday, April 13th come see the Bookmobile at 3:30pm and hear the story of how it serves daycares, neighborhoods, retirement facilities and schools in Adams County. On Friday, clean your slate and start a new story with Fine Free Friday. All fines forgiven for items returned on Friday; no questions asked, just bring back your overdue items and start a new story.

Read a good review lately?

Seen an author on TV that caught your interest? If you are a Hastings Public Library patron, e-mail the library with the author, title, and how you heard about it, if possible. Be sure to include your name and phone number and we will notify you when the book has arrived.